Frigid Air Moves into the Kankakee Valley

Fast dropping temperatures are here, setting up the coldest day of the year. The Kankakee Valley is only expected to get up to 12 degrees today.

A wind chill advisory is in effect until 11:00 a.m. CT/Noon ET. Wind chills could get as low as -10. When you head out today, wear multiple layers of clothing. Don’t forget to wear a hat as a large portion of heat escapes from the head. Make sure you let the water run in a thin stream so the water pipes don’t freeze.

Bella Vita Representatives Give Presentation to Knox Community School Board

Susanne Lange

The Knox Community School Board heard a presentation about the new Bella Vita pregnancy resource center that will be opening on U.S. 35 in Knox in March.

“David Bullock, one of our former teachers who retired a few years back, has been involved with the non-profit organization called Bella Vita,” explained Superintendent A.J. Gappa. “Mr. Bullock and Susanne Lange, also of Bella Vita, were at the Board meeting just to give an informational presentation to the Board and would like to establish a positive relationship between the schools in Starke County and Bella Vita.”

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Wishes Granted for Two Culver Students

The Culver Student Council proudly displays the check that will help grant wishes for two students

Two youngsters were given their wish this week by students at Culver Community High School. The Student Council raised over $10,000 to send the two students to Disney World and Sea World.

“My Student Council has closed their Make-A-Wish Foundation donation fundraiser and they have raised $10,461.79 in five weeks,” said Student Council Sponsor, Tina Stacey.

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Northwest Indiana Forum Elects Managing Board of Directors

Charles Weaver
Charles Weaver

The Northwest Indiana Forum membership elected its 2011 Managing Board of Directors at its annual meeting last week at the Horseshoe Casino.

Among the new directors elected to continue are: Linda Woloshansky, Center of Workforce Innovations; Ed Volk, LaPorte Municipal Airport; Charles Weaver Starke County Economic Development Foundation; and Bill Wellman, Whiteco.

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Starke County Commissioners Move Forward with Video Conferencing at Starke County Jail

The Starke County Commissioners this week voted to approve a request for Video Conferencing at the Starke County Jail. The technology would allow arraignments to be done from the jail, without having to take prisoners to the courtroom.

The cost will be shared between the County, Knox City Court, and the Prosecutor’s office. Both audio and video will be provided by a fiber optic line. Families who want to watch the proceedings can do so on flat screen T.V.s that will be mounted in the courtrooms. The equipment will cost $6,061.00.

Starke County Prosecutor Talks about Decision to Replace Chief Deputy Prosecutor

Nicholas Bourff

Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff, in an exclusive interview Wednesday with WKVI, talked about the need to replace his Chief Deputy, Todd Wallsmith, with former Chief Prosecutor Mary Ryan.

“There were several factors that led to a quick decision,” said Bourff. “I knew going into it that this was going to be an issue I’d have to face. About a month ago when I gave an interview here, I said ‘if I’m creative enough with how I handle this, I think I can work through it’. I really did think that and then I got into the office and I learned that in order to make it work, I was going to have to absorb not only the previous Prosecutor’s case load, but also the previous Chief Deputy’s case load.”

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Knox Community School Board Approves Retirement of Middle School Principal Steve Cronk

Steve Cronk

The Knox Community School Board approved the retirement of Middle School Principal, Steve Cronk, at its meeting Monday night.

“Mr. Cronk, who has worked in a number of school corporations throughout Indiana, but who has been at the Knox Middle School as Principal for the last number of years, decided it’s finally time to sit back and enjoy life a little bit,” said Superintendent A.J. Gappa. “He has submitted a letter of retirement that will take effect on June 30th. The Board regrettably accepted that resignation. It’s kind of a bittersweet personnel report when you accept the retirement of a person who has meant a lot to a lot of the kids at the Middle School here.”

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Henry F. Schricker Awards Banquet to be held Tonight

Marvin McLaughlin

The 2010 Henry F. Schricker Awards Banquet will be held tonight at the Knox Community Center. Honored will be former Starke County Circuit Court Judge and current County Councilman, Marvin McLaughlin, of North Judson.

When interviewed recently by Ted Hayes, Judge McLaughlin remembered the man of whom the award is named, the late governor Henry F. Schricker.

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Candidates Begin to File for 2011 Municipal Election

Jeff Berg (L) and Greg Matt file for candidacy in the Starke County Clerk's Office

The Starke County Clerk’s Office helped sign up candidates Wednesday for the 2011 Municipal Election. Jeff Houston filed for Knox City Clerk-Treasurer and Rick Chambers has filed for Mayor of Knox. Jeff Berg and Greg Matt filed for seats on the Knox City Council. Debra Sue Goble filed for Hamlet Clerk-Treasurer, Connie Miller filed for North Judson Town Clerk-Treasurer and Dan Anderson filed for a seat on the North Judson Town Board.

In Pulaski County, Christina Hoffa has filed for Winamac Town Clerk-Treasurer.

The deadline to file is Friday, February 18th.

Photo provided.

Local Scoring Leaders

Boys Season Scoring Leaders (Through 1/22/11)

Zach Richie-Oregon-Davis: 43.2ppg; Season Total: 519

Zoe Bauer-Culver: 19.7ppg; Season Total: 237

John Eckert-North Judson: 19.2; Season Total: 250

Ryan Pahl-LaCrosse: 17.1ppg; Season Total: 206

Matt Walker-South Central: 15.8ppg; Season Total: 174

Josh Anderson-John Glenn: 15.7ppg; Season Total: 173

Josh Risner-Knox: 15.5ppg; Season Total: 187

Elliott Coad-Knox: 14.8ppg; Season Total: 178

Winston Yergler-North Judson: 13.3ppg; Season Total: 174

Andrew Frasure-North Judson: 13.3ppg; Season Total: 173

Kendall Hochstedler-North Judson: 13.0ppg; Season Total: 170

Aaron Heims-West Central: 11.7ppg; Season Total: 164

Jordan Guse-LaCrosse: 11.0ppg; Season Total: 132

Career Scoring Leaders (Minimum 300 points)

Zoe Bauer-Culver:  1241

Zach Richie-Oregon-Davis: 942

John Eckert-North Judson: 886

Ryan Pahl-LaCrosse: 541

Kendall Hochstedler-North Judson: 524

Matt Walker-South Central: 460

Josh Risner-Knox: 453

Andrew Frasure-North Judson: 448

Jordan Guse-LaCrosse: 377

Alex Chrzan-West Central: 351

Josh Anderson-John Glenn: 336

Aaron Heims-West Central: 304

A.J. Neace-Culver: 303

Girls Season Scoring Leaders (Through 1/22/11)

Jacy Borlik-John Glenn: 18.2ppg; SeasonTotal: 292

Gwen Zehner-Culver: 16.8ppg; Season Total: 286

Ashley Campbell-Oregon-Davis: 16.8ppg; Season Total: 269

Jesse Averone-Oregon-Davis: 15.0ppg; Season Total: 240

Sarah Redweik-Winamac: 13.8ppg; SeasonTotal: 236

Marissa Hamilton-West Central: 13.6ppg; Season Total: 205

Patrice McBee-Culver: 11.0ppg; Season Total: 188

Justine Kruger-West Central: 10.9ppg; SeasonTotal: 142

Jordann Frasure-North Judson: 10.5ppg; Season Total: 168

Stephanie Balon-South Central: 10.4ppg; Season Total: 136

Brittany Tetzloff-Knox: 10.3ppg; Season  Total: 166

Career Scoring Leaders (Minimum 300 points)

Gwen Zehner-Culver: 1,181

Jacy Borlik-JohnGlenn: 914

Stephanie Balon-South  Central: 793

Allie DeFries-Winamac: 673

Sarah Redweik-Winamac: 536

Kierstynn Combs-Knox: 519

Janyl Zachary-Knox: 511

Justyne Kranenburg-Oregon-Davis: 495

Katie Bekavac-South Central: 483

Brittany Tetzloff-Knox: 475

Shelby Worthen-South Central: 470

Ellie Kiser-Winamac: 438

Patrice McBee-Culver: 421

Whitney Sanders-Culver: 416

Paydin Barrett-North Judson: 400

Nicole Carnegie-Culver: 399

Jordann Frasure-North Judson: 386

Kenley Sanchez-North Judson: 376

Christine Malecki-LaCrosse: 354

Elisabeth White-North Judson: 354

Courtney Nelson-West Central: 325

Elisabeth Caudill-Knox: 300

Single Game Bests (Boys): Minimum 20 points

Zach Richie-Oregon-Davis: 55

Elliott Coad-Knox: 32

Alan Baum-South Central: 31

Zoe Bauer-Culver: 30

John Eckert-North Judson: 30

Ryan Pahl-LaCrosse: 30

Matt Walker-South Central: 26

Zeph Conley-West Central: 25

Alex Chrzan-West Central: 24

Aaron Heims-West Central: 24

Brock Solmos-John Glenn: 24

Josh Anderson-John Glenn: 23

Kendall Hochstedler-North Judson: 23

Josh Risner-Knox: 22

Dalton Taylor-Oregon-Davis: 22

Andrew Frasure-North Judson: 21

Jordan Guse-LaCrosse: 21

Winston Yergler-NJSP: 20

Single Game Bests (Girls): Minimum 20 points

Jesse Averone-Oregon-Davis: 34

Gwen Zehner-Culver: 29

Ashley Campbell-Oregon-Davis: 28

Marissa Hamilton-West Central: 28

Jacy Borlik-John Glenn: 27

Taylor Guse-LaCrosse: 23

Jordann Frasure-North Judson: 22

Sarah Redweik-Winamac: 22

Patrice McBee-Culver: 21

Brittany Tetzloff-Knox: 21

Boys Season Scoring Leaders (Through 1/18/11)

Zach Richie-Oregon-Davis: 43.5ppg; Season Total: 479

John Eckert-North Judson: 19.7; Season Total: 217

Zoe Bauer-Culver: 19.0ppg; Season Total: 190

Ryan Pahl-LaCrosse: 17.7ppg; Season Total: 195

Josh Risner-Knox: 16.8ppg; Season Total: 178

Matt Walker-South Central: 15.9ppg; Season Total: 159

Josh Anderson-John Glenn: 15.6ppg; Season Total: 156

Elliott Coad-Knox: 15.0ppg; Season Total: 166

Andrew Frasure-North Judson: 13.1ppg; Season Total: 145

Aaron Heims-West Central: 13.0; Season Total: 143

Winston Yergler-North Judson: 13.0ppg; Season Total: 143

Kendall Hochstedler-North Judson: 12.2ppg; Season Total: 135

Jordan Guse-LaCrosse: 11.2ppg; Season Total: 124

Career Scoring Leaders (Minimum 300 points)

Zoe Bauer-Culver: 1,194

Zach Richie-Oregon-Davis: 902

John Eckert-North Judson: 853

Ryan Pahl-LaCrosse: 530

Kendall Hochstedler-North Judson: 489

Matt Walker-South Central: 445

Josh Risner-Knox: 444

Andrew Frasure-North Judson: 420

Jordan Guse-LaCrosse: 369

Alex Chrzan-West Central: 351

Josh Anderson-John Glenn: 319

A.J. Neace-Culver: 303

Girls Season Scoring Leaders (Through 1/18/11)

Jacy Borlik-John Glenn: 18.2ppg; SeasonTotal: 274

Gwen Zehner-Culver: 17.2ppg; Season Total: 259

Ashley Campbell-Oregon-Davis: 16.4ppg; Season Total: 230

Jesse Averone-Oregon-Davis: 14.7ppg; Season Total: 206

Sarah Redweik-Winamac: 14.6ppg; SeasonTotal: 219

Marissa Hamilton-West Central: 13.6ppg; Season Total: 205

Justine Kruger-West Central: 10.9ppg; SeasonTotal: 142

Brittany Tetzloff-Knox: 10.4ppg; Season  Total: 157

Stephanie Balon-South Central: 10.4ppg; Season Total: 136

Jordann Frasure-North Judson: 10.3ppg; Season Total: 145

Patrice McBee-Culver: 10.2ppg; Season Total: 153

Career Scoring Leaders (Minimum 300 points)

Gwen Zehner-Culver: 1,154

Jacy Borlik-JohnGlenn: 896

Stephanie Balon-South  Central: 793

Allie DeFries-Winamac: 655

Kierstynn Combs-Knox: 519

Sarah Redweik-Winamac: 519

Janyl Zachary-Knox: 503

Justyne Kranenburg-Oregon-Davis: 490

Katie Bekavac-South Central: 483

Shelby Worthen-South Central: 470

Brittany Tetzloff-Knox: 466

Ellie Kiser-Winamac: 416

Whitney Sanders-Culver: 408

Patrice McBee-Culver: 386

Paydin Barrett-North Judson: 384

Nicole Carnegie-Culver: 378

Kenley Sanchez-North Judson: 376

Jordann Frasure-North Judson: 363

Christine Malecki-LaCrosse: 354

Elisabeth White-North Judson: 341

Courtney Nelson-West Central: 325

Single Game Bests (Boys):

Zach Richie-Oregon-Davis: 55

Elliott Coad-Knox: 32

Zoe Bauer-Culver: 30

John Eckert-North Judson: 30

Ryan Pahl-LaCrosse: 30

Matt Walker-South Central: 26

Zeph Conley-West Central: 25

Alex Chrzan-West Central: 24

Aaron Heims-West Central: 24

Brock Solmos-John Glenn: 24

Josh Anderson-John Glenn: 23

Kendall Hochstedler-North Judson: 23

Josh Risner-Knox: 22

Dalton Taylor-Oregon-Davis: 22

Andrew Frasure-North Judson: 21

Jordan Guse-LaCrosse: 21

Single Game Bests (Girls)

Jesse Averone-Oregon-Davis: 34

Gwen Zehner-Culver: 29

Ashley Campbell-Oregon-Davis: 28

Marissa Hamilton-West Central: 28

Jacy Borlik-John Glenn: 27

Taylor Guse-LaCrosse: 23

Jordann Frasure-North Judson: 22

Sarah Redweik-Winamac: 22

Brittany Tetzloff-Knox: 21

Friday Night Mixed League 01/14/11

Friday Night Mixed League 01/14/11
Team Standings:
1. Alley Aces 53.0-27.0
2. 4-Alarm Fire 51.0-29.0
3. Dolezal Family 48.5-31.5
4. Mariah’s Hill 43.5-36.5
5. Good Friends 43.0-37.0
6. Rollin’ Thunder 41.0-39.0
7. Hard Times 40.0-40.0
8. Undecided 34.5-45.5
9. Raiders 34.0-46.0
10. Baugh Construction 33.5-46.5
11. Feel the Power 29.0-51.0
12. O’s Tap 29.0-51.0
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Knox Masonic Lodge 639 Presents Donation to Community Services of Starke County Food Bank

Anthony Manning, Cecilia Torres and Scott King

On Wednesday, January 12th, Knox Masonic Lodge 639 presented the second installment of $200.00 to the Community Services of Starke County Food Bank to help replenish supplies to the pantry after the holidays. The Masonic Lodge had donated $200.00 in November to help with Thanksgiving Day supplies.

Cecilia Torres was very thankful to the Masonic Lodge for their very kind contributions to the pantry and said all donations are greatly appreciated.

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Illinois Woman Seriously injured in Car Accident

Alisha Anderson from Illinois was seriously injured in a crash on I-80

A Mattson, Illinois woman was seriously injured yesterday, evening January 18th, when the driver’s side of her car went partially under the rear of a semi.

Preliminary investigation revealed that at approximately 9:40 p.m., Indiana State Police Trooper Josh Roa responded to a crash on I-80 west bound at the .5 mile marker (this is just east of the Illinois State Line). A 2010 International semi-box trailer owned by Swift Transportation out of Phoenix, Arizona, and driven by Kevin Buzard, 31 of Mesa Arizona, was stopped on the inner shoulder due to being involve in an earlier property damage crash.

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Starke County Prosecutor Replaces Chief Deputy Prosecutor Todd Wallsmith

Nicholas Bourff

WKVI has learned that new Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff has replaced his Chief Deputy Todd Wallsmith only two weeks into his term.

Both men had been employed by Wallsmith’s father, David, and had developed a friendship. But because Todd Wallsmith was a nephew of Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall, it would have been impossible for him to present cases before the Judge in court. That would have been a conflict.

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